I went to the gym yesterday. As with all Saturdays, I go to the Anytime Fitness branch closest to my house, the Red Hotel in Cubao, Quezon City. Saturday is power lifts day.

Another client and one of the coaches were working out on the dumbbells. One of them then called out from across the room to ask what shoes I was wearing, whether it was the Nike Romaleos. I answered “Yes.” The then continued to work as did I.

During one of their breaks, the coach approached me and introduced himself as Coach Raph. He asked whether I competed. I said that back in 2016 or 17 I had psyched myself up for a powerlifting competition in the masters category. But a day before the enlistment, on checking the rules, I found that a singlet was required. I didn’t know where to get one, and finally decided to call off my plans. I never entertained the idea of competing since.

Coach Raph asked how old I was. I said “54”. He was impressed. He had been observing my lifts these past weekends. Although I said that at my age I was just interested in maintaining my strength, he thought that I was still going for personal records, or PR’s.

Well, I said, maybe I was. For several months now I have been benching 90 kg, doing 3 sets of 3 reps (3×3) at that weight. Then last week I decided to add 2.5 kg for a 2×2. My strategy was to increase weights up by 2.5-kg increments until they became comfortable, and then use that as my new 3×3. Coach Raph agreed this was a good strategy, although he commented that there’s usually enough punch left to attempt a new PR, and encouraged me to dare more. He then went back to the client.

As I was entering my last set doing 3 rep max (3RM) of 130 kg, I thought about what the coach said. Last week I had already done 1×1 at 140 kg; that’s my PR before the pandemic and a weight I never attempted since 2020. But I decided to go for 150 kg for a 1×1. I felt a little scared. But, I told myself, it’s just one rep. It’s a deadlift, I could drop the bar anytime. And I could claim it as an achievement before the end of 2023.

So, after my last rep for the 3×3, I added the 20 kilos. I rewrapped my knees, put on my belt, and lifted. The bar began to rise from the floor. Very, very slowly it rose. Up and up it went without pause or hesitation. Until I got to full extension. I did it! Lifetime PR, 150 kg.

All of a sudden, my “impossible” dream of 160 kg for the deadlift has become more realistic. If that’s doable, then so are my targets for bench press, squat, and snatch before I’m 60.

As I was exiting the gym I went to Coach Raph and told him “I thought about what you said, and went for a new PR.”

“How did it go?”, he asked?

I said, “[expletive] The bar just kept going up!”

Coach Raph was BEAMING with pride as any teacher would at his student’s achievements!

We exchanged pleasantries. Coach Raph said that this was actually his last day, and that he was moving to New Zealand to accompany his mom. Well, that was excellent timing. I gave him the name of a contact. And then with another coach they asked if they could take a photo of me doing the shoulder presses with dumbbells for the gym’s Instagram. Last time I checked (60 sec ago) the photos weren’t up yet (https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/109333993750327/anytime-fitness-red-hotel-cubao/).

With photoshoot over, we said our Merry Christmas, I wished Coach Raph a safe trip, I picked up my gear and my riding helmet and left. I felt very, very satisfied that day.

At my age, I’m lifting more weight than at any time in my life. Due to my knees not being anymore what they were, however, I will be more careful with the squats and the clean-and-press. But there’s still a lot I can do with the snatch and the bench press — and for the others, if I dare.

Thanks to Coach Raph and the wonderful coaches of Anytime Fitness Red Hotel Cubao!

(Cubao, 231224)